Small practice. Bright discoveries.Explore the free starter collection
Back to worksheets
MathsAges 16-18

2×2 matrix determinants

Evaluate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of a 2 × 2 matrix from its leading and secondary diagonals. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

New variationTry interactive challengeBrowse templates

Choose “Save as PDF” to keep a copy. Use your browser’s paper setting for A4 or Letter.

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

2×2 matrix determinants

Take your time. Show your thinking.

  1. 1. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[11, 6], [7, 11]].

    abcd
    M = [ 11 6 ; 7 11 ] · det(M) = (11×11) − (6×7)
  2. 2. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[6, 1], [9, 12]].

    abcd
    M = [ 6 1 ; 9 12 ] · det(M) = (6×12) − (1×9)
  3. 3. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[11, 2], [6, 7]].

    abcd
    M = [ 11 2 ; 6 7 ] · det(M) = (11×7) − (2×6)
  4. 4. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[4, 2], [9, 11]].

    abcd
    M = [ 4 2 ; 9 11 ] · det(M) = (4×11) − (2×9)
  5. 5. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[7, 9], [9, 7]].

    abcd
    M = [ 7 9 ; 9 7 ] · det(M) = (7×7) − (9×9)
  6. 6. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[2, 3], [2, 8]].

    abcd
    M = [ 2 3 ; 2 8 ] · det(M) = (2×8) − (3×2)
  7. 7. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[6, 2], [4, 7]].

    abcd
    M = [ 6 2 ; 4 7 ] · det(M) = (6×7) − (2×4)
  8. 8. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[8, 7], [8, 7]].

    abcd
    M = [ 8 7 ; 8 7 ] · det(M) = (8×7) − (7×8)
  9. 9. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[8, 3], [5, 11]].

    abcd
    M = [ 8 3 ; 5 11 ] · det(M) = (8×11) − (3×5)
  10. 10. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[9, 8], [2, 2]].

    abcd
    M = [ 9 8 ; 2 2 ] · det(M) = (9×2) − (8×2)
  11. 11. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[5, 2], [9, 4]].

    abcd
    M = [ 5 2 ; 9 4 ] · det(M) = (5×4) − (2×9)
  12. 12. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[9, 8], [1, 3]].

    abcd
    M = [ 9 8 ; 1 3 ] · det(M) = (9×3) − (8×1)
12 questions · Seed 104730 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

2×2 matrix determinants

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[11, 6], [7, 11]].

    79

    det(M) = (11 × 11) − (6 × 7) = 121 − 42 = 79.

  2. 2. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[6, 1], [9, 12]].

    63

    det(M) = (6 × 12) − (1 × 9) = 72 − 9 = 63.

  3. 3. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[11, 2], [6, 7]].

    65

    det(M) = (11 × 7) − (2 × 6) = 77 − 12 = 65.

  4. 4. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[4, 2], [9, 11]].

    26

    det(M) = (4 × 11) − (2 × 9) = 44 − 18 = 26.

  5. 5. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[7, 9], [9, 7]].

    -32

    det(M) = (7 × 7) − (9 × 9) = 49 − 81 = -32.

  6. 6. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[2, 3], [2, 8]].

    10

    det(M) = (2 × 8) − (3 × 2) = 16 − 6 = 10.

  7. 7. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[6, 2], [4, 7]].

    34

    det(M) = (6 × 7) − (2 × 4) = 42 − 8 = 34.

  8. 8. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[8, 7], [8, 7]].

    0

    det(M) = (8 × 7) − (7 × 8) = 56 − 56 = 0.

  9. 9. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[8, 3], [5, 11]].

    73

    det(M) = (8 × 11) − (3 × 5) = 88 − 15 = 73.

  10. 10. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[9, 8], [2, 2]].

    2

    det(M) = (9 × 2) − (8 × 2) = 18 − 16 = 2.

  11. 11. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[5, 2], [9, 4]].

    2

    det(M) = (5 × 4) − (2 × 9) = 20 − 18 = 2.

  12. 12. Calculate the determinant det(M) = ad − bc of the 2×2 matrix M = [[9, 8], [1, 3]].

    19

    det(M) = (9 × 3) − (8 × 1) = 27 − 8 = 19.

12 questions · Seed 104730 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification